As you probably know Dan Kennedy is one of the greatest marketing minds around. Not the only by any means, maybe not even the best. And I haven’t studied or seen much of his stuff lately, but he was/is a true marketing genius.
Don’t worry. I know it sounds like I’m trying to sell you something, but I assure you I’m not. All it is is an introduction to a great video of him I just found.
If you’ve followed my work and writings over the years you’ll know I’m a big believer in the power of having a guarantee to increase sales. And not just some fluffy text in miniscule type. But one that stands out and means something.
Well, here is Dan Kennedy delivering his personal guarantee for his products. Enjoy, it’s live and it works!
Here’s a video from Canadian Copywriter Michel Fortin. No matter how great you think your ad, your copy, or any of your marketing and sales materials are performing … if you’re not testing, you’re really missing out.
Look for the little conversion secret he delivers near the end of the video.
Advertising Age just ran an article stating that 53% of marketers are preparing to cut back their advertising if they haven’t already begun to do so.
The survey, conducted by the Association of National Advertisers, polled 100 marketers across several industries. While some will surely wonder whether on hundred respondents is enough to make this statistically valid — evidence that this is true is all around us.
You see, every time the economy faces a downturn marketers get wary. They hold back. Waiting. Until the landscape settles.
Duke University’s Libraries has been increasing its efforts of its digital collections.
One of my favorite collections is called Ad Access. Here they’ve catalogued over 7,000 US and Canadian advertisements from between 1911 - 1950.
Outdated, Old, And Not Applicable In Today’s Times
Human nature hasn’t changed in the last 100 years and it won’t change over the next 100. Sure, we’re seeing technological changes that allow us to communicate through different vehicles and ‘efficiency’ increasing tools that allow us to complete tasks faster. But the way we think, our impulses and emotional wiring that affects whether our attention is aroused and if we should take that next step and make a purchase haven’t changed one bit.
On two occasions now, the president’s of two large companies have attacked me.
No silly, not by physical force. But they were genuinely concerned.
Turn on the TV, check the front few pages of any newspaper, listen to the radio and no doubt you’ll be bombarded with a chess match of mentally developed and not-so-understandably respected folks yelling at each other “recession-this” and “no-recession-that’”.
“A financial crisis here” says one lady, while the other ‘just-as-wise’ smiles her best smile, looks you in the eye and tells you “there is no financial crisis, this is a time of opportunity.” And just then, ten other well-greased analysts, and a couple of bow-tie clad economists declare there is no opportunity. Everyone must cust back and cushioned their rear-ends in preparation for the big loss.
What’s happening really isn’t anything new in my view. Sure, parts of this dramatic play “have never been seen before”. But the economy, since the beginning of time, as had its ups and downs, its sidesteps, trips, hops, jumps and falls…
Michael Zipursky is a direct-response marketing and customer loyalty consultant and copywriter. Author of the book Profitable Relations, he helps companies increase their sales and profits and create stronger relationships with their customers.
Duke University’s Libraries has been increasing its efforts of its digital collections.
